Centre for Civil Society (CCS), New Delhi

The Policy Research & Outreach team at the Centre for Civil Society is inviting applications for full-time/part-time interns to work from our office in New Delhi. This internship offers hands-on experience in policy research, quantitative and empirical research, and outreach with a focus on the Jeevika livelihood vertical.

About Jeevika

Jeevika is the flagship initiative of CCS’s Livelihood vertical, dedicated to protecting and expanding the livelihood freedom of India’s street vendors and informal workers. Street entrepreneurs are a vital part of the urban economy, yet they often face harassment, arbitrary eviction, and lack of recognition in city planning. To address these challenges, Jeevika combines research, policy advocacy, technology, and legal empowerment to create an enabling environment for dignified self-employment.

A key focus of Jeevika is ensuring effective implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. This landmark legislation was enacted to safeguard the rights of nearly 10 million street vendors across India, providing for the constitution of Town Vending Committees (TVCs) with vendor representation, a  legal framework for issuing vending certificates and regulating vending zones, and protection against arbitrary eviction or harassment.

Despite the Act, enforcement remains patchy and vendors continue to be vulnerable. Jeevika addresses this gap by:

• Deploying the Jeevika Mobile App, which empowers vendors with real-time legal support, harassment reporting, and geo-tagging of vending locations.
• Running the Jeevika Fellowship, where law students offer pro bono legal aid and awareness drives for vendors.
• Conducting empirical studies and documentation to record harassment trends and judicial responses.
• Partnering with vendor associations and civil society groups to build collective advocacy and strengthen grassroots voices in policy dialogue.

Over the years, Jeevika has contributed to policy reforms, court interventions, and public campaigns that advance recognition of vendors as legitimate stakeholders in Indian cities. The initiative not only works towards reducing the criminalization of work but also ensures that the 2014 Act fulfills its promise of legal protection, dignity, and livelihood security for street entrepreneurs.

Eligibility

• Law students:
  • 3rd year onwards in a 5-year integrated program; or
  • 2nd year onwards in a 3-year LLB program.
• Economics students:
  • 2nd year onwards Interested in empirical and quantitative studies, data-driven policy analysis, and field research.
• B.Tech students:
  • 2nd year onwards with strong skills in data analysis, quantitative methods, or technology-policy intersections (e.g., digital livelihoods, regulatory tech solutions).
• Any Other Relevant Academic Field 
  • With a shown record of conducting quantitative and empirical research, displaying proficiency in tools for data analysis and quantitative methodologies.  

Role & Responsibilities

• Conducting research on livelihood reforms, and regulatory frameworks.
• Supporting empirical and quantitative studies including data collection, data cleaning, and statistical analysis.
• Drafting policy briefs, research notes, and outreach documents.
• Assisting in workshops, consultations, and field visits related to livelihood reforms.
• Coordinating with internal teams and external stakeholders for policy dialogues.

Skills Required

• Strong research, writing, and analytical ability.
• Comfort with data tools (Excel, R, Stata, Python, etc.) desirable for Economics/B.Tech interns.
• Keen interest in law, livelihood, and public policy.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment.

Location

Work from Office – Centre for Civil Society, New Delhi

Duration

• Internship duration and commitment of 4 weeks with interns expected to devote at least 20 hours per week. (extensions granted on performance and requirement) 

To Apply: Send your CV and a short statement of interest to jeevika@ccs.in. Subject line: Application – Internship (Policy Research & Outreach – Jeevika)

About Centre for Civil Society (CCS)

The Centre for Civil Society (CCS) is India’s leading liberal think tank, working to advance social change through public policy. CCS conducts research, pilot projects, and advocacy across key areas such as education, livelihoods, governance, and ease of doing business. By engaging with policymakers, academia, media, and grassroots communities, CCS strives to bring greater freedom and choice to individuals, while promoting accountability and transparency in governance